The Babylonian Legends of the Creation Part 3

FIRST TABLET.[1]

[Footnote 1: This translation is made from transcripts of the British Museum fragments (_Cuneiform Texts_, Part XIII), and transcripts of the Berlin fragments (Ebeling, _Keilschrifttexte aus a.s.sur_, Nos. 117, 118).]

1. When the heavens above were yet unnamed,[1]

[Footnote 1: The name of an object was the object itself, and it was believed that nothing could exist apart from its name.]

2. And the name of the earth beneath had not been recorded,

3. Apsu, the oldest of beings, their progenitor,

4. "Mummu" Tiamat, who bare each and all of them--

5. Their waters were merged into a single ma.s.s.

6. A field had not been measured, a marsh had not been searched out,

7. When of the G.o.ds none was s.h.i.+ning,

[Ill.u.s.tration: Portion of a tablet inscribed in a.s.syrian with a text of the First Tablet of the Creation Series. [K. 5419C.]]

8. A name had not been recorded, a fate had not been fixed,

9. The G.o.ds came into being in the midst of them.

10. The G.o.d Lakhmu and the G.o.ddess Lakhamu were made to s.h.i.+ne, they were named.

11. [Together] they increased in stature, they grew tall.

12. Anshar and Kishar came into being, and others besides them.

13. Long were the days, the years increased.

14. The G.o.d Anu, their son, the equal of his fathers, [was created].

15. The G.o.d Anshar made his eldest son Anu in his own image.

16. And the G.o.d Anu begat Nudimmud (Ea) the image of himself.

17. The G.o.d Nudimmud was the first among his fathers,

18. Endowed with understanding, he who thinketh deeply, the orator

19. Exceedingly mighty in strength above his father Anshar who begat him.

20. Unrivalled amongst the G.o.ds his brothers ...

21. The confraternity of the G.o.ds was established.

22. Tiamat was troubled and she ... their guardian.

23. Her belly was stirred up to its uttermost depths.

24. ...........

25. Apsu (the watery abyss) could not diminish their brawl

26. And Tiamat gathered herself together ...

27. She struck a blow, and their works ...

28. Their way was not good,...

29. At that time Apsu, the progenitor of the great G.o.ds,

30. Shouted out and summoned Mummu, the steward of his house, saying

31. "[O] Mummu, my steward, who makest my liver to rejoice,

32. "Come, to Tiamat we will go."

33. They went, they lay down [on a couch] facing Tiamat.

34. They took counsel together about the G.o.ds [their children].

35. Apsu took up his word and said,

36. To Tiamat, the holy (?) one, he made mention of a matter, [saying],

37. "... their way ...

38. "By day I find no peace, by night I have no rest.

39. "Verily I will make an end of their way, I will sweep them away,

40. "There shall be a sound of lamentation; lo, then we shall rest."

41. Tiamat on hearing this

42. Was stirred up to wrath and shrieked to her husband,[1]

[Footnote 1: Tiamat's wrath was roused by Apsu, who had proposed to slay the G.o.ds, her children. She took no part in the first struggle of Apsu and Mummu against the G.o.ds, and only engaged in active hostilities to avenge Apsu.]

43. ... unto sickness. She raged all alone,

44. She uttered a curse, and unto [Apsu, spake, saying,],